Faith

Family

Archives

Categories

Assorted Thoughts

No effect of the Fall is penal for the saint.

A question I’ve been asking to locals: “Is Christmas about God becoming man, or about Christ becoming a man so that he could become a god?” One man replied, “Who cares? Why worry about technical doctrinal questions? We shouldn’t forget the spirit of Christmas.”

The less concerned a people become over the substance and content of their words and categories, the move superficial and hallow and slick and affectatious they become. Speech becomes facade.

Two things I want more than anything right now: personal integrity and work ethic.

My heart knows that the music on the radio lies. It covers up the real human experience of suffering and sin and joy. It isn’t happy or angry or sad about what is most worth being happy or angry or sad about.

When I hear jazz, my heart is reminded that the fallen world is lonely, and sinful, and suffering without the kingdom to come in their lives.

Some men pretend to be humble by claiming that they have no certainty as to whether they will persevere, but in doing so they betray their arrogance in rejecting the promises of Christ and by supposing that, if they were to persevere, it would be due to them. Humility boasts in the promises of God which make much of God and little of man.

How can one dream over a list of attributes of their future husband, but then sneer at a list of the unique attributes of God?

After having done a good act, we must think, “It is because of God that I willed to do that.” He works in us to will and to act according to his good purpose (Philippians 2). From him, and through him, and to him are all things (Romans 11).

Some men will be damned someday for amiably and deceitfully pretending to agree with my Christian beliefs.

For the modernist, it is irrational to not always submit to the majority opinion of the scientific community. And for him, most of the things we thought we ought to be most certain about, we ought to be least certain about.

A noble effort: When, having already concluded on a position for sufficent reasons, one seeks to interact with opposing viewpoints for the purpose of persuasion and developing a nuanced position. Already having an opinion on the matter, rather than hindering the subsequent research, is often more helpful since it gives motivation for inquiry. I know more about what others believe because I have sought to persuade them of what I believe.

Late in the night, when I am alone, I despair of myself, and I miss my wife, and I feel desperate for sleep, and for God.

A mental game inconsistent with authentic human experience. Persuading others to abandon the game because they do not play it elsewhere.

Persuading others to know a thing, not always by arguing for it, but by giving an accurate and beautiful picture of it. “What therefore you worship as unknown, this I proclaim to you. The God who made the world and everything in it, being Lord of heaven and earth, does not live in temples made by man, nor is he served by human hands, as though he needed anything, since he himself gives to all.” -Acts 17:23-25

Some men refuse to debate lest the other’s position be given the appearance of plausibility. Some men accept the offer to debate lest their own position be seen as indefensible. Some men debate because they truly love a thing outside of themselves more than they love saving face.

A verbal way of lessening the blow of a contrast: “Well, they’re not exactly the same.”

An academic way of rejecting the objection of conscience: “Interesting. It’s all very fascinating.” As if it wasn’t horrific or of weighty concern?

There are at least six facets of an “ism” worth considering: What it was in its real or so-called original, pristine form. What it has been throughout its own history. Its popular, folk form. The self-understanding of an ism by its adherents. Popular culture’s understanding of it. Its developed and articulated version.

Jesus was so authenticly human that he could not have been of this world.